Roy Jones Promotions Receives P-1 Visa for World-Class Boxer Connor Coyle

The P-1 is the most popular nonimmigrant visa option for boxers looking to compete in the United States. Our Las Vegas-based immigration office helps fighters to receive visa solutions for single bouts, training camps, promotional contracts, and management contracts. The P-1 visa is appropriate for boxers who are coming to the United States to participate in events featuring an internationally recognized class of performance. 

Recently we obtained a successful P-1 approval for world-class boxing star Connor Coyle who has a promotional contract with Roy Jones Promotions, which is owned by Roy Jones Jr. and managed by Keith Veltre. Roy Jones Promotions has been very active over the past few years since 2018 and has received significant coverage on media, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and top sports journal outlets. 

In order to obtain an approval for Connor Coyle, Sherrod Sports Visas had to prove that the professional boxer has already achieved a high level of success with skills above ordinary boxers that has led him to be leading, renowned, and/or well known in multiple countries. In addition, our law firm had to prove that the athlete was coming to compete in activities that required the participation of international athletes. Lately, USCIS has been very strict in enforcing these regulations and hesitant to issue visas for the full 5-year visa validity period. In 2020, it is generally the policy that P-1 visa applicants are best to seek 3-year authorizations to avoid denials.  

Documentation Required for P-1 Boxers

Sherrod Sports Visas is expert in obtaining the proper documentation and supporting arguments to USCIS in the sport of boxing. Documentation is essential for consistent results along with explanations for why the evidence is significant. 

Valid Contract

Each P-1 petition must be based on a contract for the duration of the visa. Appropriate contracts for P-1 petitions for boxers include bout agreements, management contracts, and promotional agreements. 

Itinerary of Events That Require the Participation of International Athletes

USCIS is becoming very strict in only granting P-1 visas for events that require world-class level athletes. We specialize in helping to explain that fights, exhibitions, training camps, bouts, and seminars meet the qualifications of needing world-class athletes. Combat sports can be very dangerous and mismatched competitions can end in disaster, including death to athletes. 

World Rankings

Rankings in internationally recognized outlets are very helpful for P-1 petitions. Professional boxing is supported by BoxRec.com and sanctioning bodies such as the WBC, WBA, Ring Magazine, IBF, and other bodies. 

Amateur Fighting Background

Competing for a national team can help support a P-1 visa but must be explained and supported with evidence. Simply stating that a fighter competed for the national team is not sufficient evidence. Evidence that is helpful includes support letters, media coverage, and event results.

National and International Awards

Awards can also support a P-1 petition for boxers and these accolades can include great results at tournaments, national championships, regional championships and, of course, world championships. Each award must be supported by evidence and descriptions that explain how hard it is to get the award, why it helps the athlete to be recognized in more than one country, and other winners of the award who have achieved a high level of acclaim.

Support Letters from Industry Experts

Support letters from industry experts such as fellow athletes, coaches, media, and industry pundits are excellent opportunities to solidify the accomplishments of the boxer and also explain some of the other categories of eligibility.

Consultation Letters

Most P-1 visas require a consultation letter from the governing body of the sport to either confirm that the athlete is internationally recognized or state that they have no objection to the athlete obtaining a P-1 visa. Consultation letters should state that the athlete is already recognized in multiple counties, list specific accomplishments, and explain why the accomplishments are significant. Consultation letters in boxing may be obtained from a variety of sources as there are several sanctioning bodies. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us about P-1 visas for international boxers by phone at 310-209-8545 or email sherrod@sherrodsportsvisas.com.